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Against the Spread Matchups NFL Week 3

Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots

The Raiders have scored 34 points in back-to-back games, and the Patriots‘ defense has been thrown on with success recently. Seahawks‘ QB Russell Wilson gashed New England’s pass D for 288 yards and five touchdowns. That’s right, five touchdowns. The Patriots’ dominant defense is not quite what it was a year ago.

Raiders QB Derek Carr carved up the Saints’ D for 282 yards and three touchdowns on MNF. If primo offensive weapons TE Darren Waller and RB Josh Jacobs are able to play, Carr will be in drive. It’s probable that Waller and Jacobs are sitting out practice to rest, saving their strength for the real deal.

ATS Pick Week 3 - Leonard Fournette of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the ball in the first quarter during the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins
Mark Brown/Getty Images/AFP

Pats QB Cam Newton has been starring lately, himself. Newton single-handedly accounted for 444 yards of total offense in Week 2 vs Seattle. Cam threw for 397 yards and one touchdown, carrying the ball for another 47 yards and two scores. Newton did everything, except get into the end zone on his final rushing attempt as time expired.

The Patriots lost to the Seahawks 35-30, and will look to tarnish the Raiders’ undefeated record in Week 3. New England should win, but it will be a barn burner and very close.

It’s Raining Ducketts: ATS Pick Week 3, Las Vegas Raiders + 5

Los Angeles Rams @ Buffalo Bills

Undefeated teams lock horns at Bills Stadium during Week 3. The Rams edged the Dallas Cowboys in their first game and rolled the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. The Bills pounded on the Jets to kick off the season, then nipped the Dolphins in their second game. Both squads are talented, and likely postseason bound.

Bills QB Josh Allen leads the league in passing yards with 729, and has completed 70% of his passes. Allen has thrown six touchdowns and zero interceptions. WR Stefon Diggs has the most receiving yards in football, gaining 239 yards on 16 catches. Buffalo ranks first in the NFL when tallying the number of passing plays that have gone longer than 20 yards (12).

Interestingly enough, the Rams rank second in passing plays over 20 yards, coming in with 11. QB Jared Goff isn’t exactly reanimating “The Greatest Show on Turf”, but he’s putting up pretty decent numbers. Goff ranks ninth in the league with 542 yards passing,  and TE Tyler Higbee is a scoring machine. Higbee scored three touchdowns in Week 2 vs the Eagles, and Buffalo is scheming to stop him.

Both defenses are top shelf, but Buffalo’s D is stronger, overall. Also, Allen is playing at an extremely high level right now, and even superstar CB Jalen Ramsey won’t stop him.

It’s Raining Ducketts: ATS Pick Week 3, Buffalo Bills -2½  

Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Texans are traveling to Heinz Field in search of their first victory in 2020. Houston’s had problems dealing with the cream of the AFC crop the first two weeks, losing to KC and Baltimore. The Texans are desperate for a win to keep their slimming playoff hopes alive. That desperation will fuel them in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are undefeated after two wobbly victories to start the season. Pittsburgh outlasted the Giants in Week 1 and survived a comeback bid by a depleted Broncos squad in Week 2. The Steelers’ defense clearly has some holes, and Texans’ QB Deshaun Watson will burst right through them.

Ben Roethlisberger and James Conner got on track in Week 2, but Houston’s D will do enough to keep the Texans in the game. Pittsburgh wins by a field goal, and Houston covers the spread, making contrarian bettors rejoice the world over.

Here is a look at the latest Super Bowl Odds

It’s Raining Ducketts: ATS Pick Week 3, Houston Texans +4

San Francisco 49ers @ NY Giants

SF must be traumatized from what it has endured, following its loss vs KC in Super Bowl LIV.  The 49ers lost in Week 1 to an Arizona Cardinals team that is supposed to be in a developmental stage. Then in Week 2, SF beat the Jets handily, but lost half the team to injury, blaming the playing surface. The Niners return to that same “sticky surface” at MetLife Stadium, a week removed from the incident.

The 49ers will be without defensive standout Nick Bosa, starting QB Jimmy Garappolo, and RBs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman. The Giants have lost RB Saquon Barkley (knee) for the season, and WR Sterling Shepard (toe) will miss at least three games.

This is the game that NY tight end Evan Engram steps up, providing a security blanket for QB Daniel Jones. The Giants’ offensive line has been unreliable, as has been the running game. It’ll be Engram, WR Darius Slayton, and RB Dion Lewis who help head coach Joe Judge earn his first win.

It’s Raining Ducketts: ATS Pick Week 3, NY Giants +4  

 

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